Juventus will be title challengers within two years, according to Massimiliano Allegri

Juve won nine consecutive Serie A titles until Inter Milan won last season

Alasdair Mackenzie
Saturday 08 January 2022 08:00 EST
Comments
Massimiliano Allegri is building the team into title challengers
Massimiliano Allegri is building the team into title challengers (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Juventus are going through a rebuilding phase and will be ready to fight for the Serie A title again within the next two years, coach Massimiliano Allegri said on Saturday.

The Turin club won nine consecutive league crowns before surrendering the Scudetto to Inter Milan last season under coach Andrea Pirlo, who Allegri replaced in the close season.

Juve go into Sunday’s clash at Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma in fifth place, three points behind fourth-placed Atalanta, who have a game in hand, and 11 adrift of leaders Inter Milan.

“I came here knowing that this year we needed to start changing the team, to be back challenging for the title in a year or two,” Allegri told a news conference. “We could have done better, but it is a question of the team’s growth. Players can pay for having less experience of winning and playing so many games.

“Roma are three points behind us, Serie A isn’t easy and Mourinho is doing well. Patience is required. I knew that and it doesn’t scare me. Everyone wants to win and fight for the Scudetto, but there are times when you must know how to build.”

His team began 2022 with a 1-1 draw at home to third-placed Napoli, but Allegri will miss the game in Rome after picking up a suspension for insulting the referee after the match.

The Juve attack has been a cause for concern as Allegri’s side have scored 28 goals in 20 league games, the 11th-highest tally in the division, but the coach is not overly concerned.

“The team doesn’t have unsolvable problems, we are working to improve the quality of our game and our finishing to finish in the top four, which is the goal for this season,” he said.

“The more you play, the more experience you get. I am calm. I have always said that apart from Inter, everyone is fighting for three places. We will see where we are after these head-to-head games.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in